The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), in collaboration with Sustainable Resolution (SU.RE), will host the inaugural ECO-STITCH Sustainability Conclave on April 3, 2026, at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The event will be co-located with the 6th FAB Show 2026 and supported by the Global Alliance for Textile Sustainability Council (GATS), Brands & Sourcing Leaders Association (BSL), and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
Designed as a by-invitation platform, the Conclave aims to position sustainability as a core foundation of textile and apparel manufacturing. It will convene over 150 stakeholders, including brand owners, global buying houses, manufacturers, exporters, policymakers, and innovators, to explore actionable pathways for industry-wide transformation. The agenda will feature strategic discussions, technical sessions, and open dialogues covering EU compliance readiness, adoption challenges for Indian brands, green finance, social inclusion, and UN-led initiatives for sustainable clusters, along with a CEO panel on embedding sustainability into business strategy.
Speaking about the conclave, Santosh Katariya, President, CMAI, said, “Sustainability can no longer remain an aspirational goal for the apparel industry. It is high time it develops the foundation of how we design, source and manufacture. CMAI aims to create a one-of-a-kind annual platform that brings together decision-makers from the textile and apparel ecosystem. We will have candid discussions to debate on the biggest sustainability challenges and opportunities, help attendees gain actionable strategies, practical solutions, new networks for collaboration to accelerate adoption of responsible and circular practices.”
A key feature of the event will be experiential zones built around the 3R framework—Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle—demonstrating real-world circularity through sustainable sourcing, upcycled collections, and integrated “waste-to-wardrobe” supply chains.
Speaking about the theme of the Conclave, Naveen Sainani, Hon. Gen. Secretary & Chairman, ESG Committee, CMAI, expressed, “The ECO-STITCH Conclave is designed to go beyond conversations and focus on practical pathways for change. By convening stakeholders and sustainability champions under one roof, CMAI seeks to drive greater awareness, collaboration and measurable action that will help the Indian textile and apparel sector transition towards more sustainable and future-ready business models.”
The Conclave will also include an Automation and AI Showcase, highlighting the role of digital tools and advanced manufacturing in enabling responsible production and operational efficiency across the fashion value chain.
Another major highlight will be the CMAI SU.RE Sustainability Awards, recognising manufacturers, brands, innovators, and service providers contributing to measurable progress in sustainability and circularity. The jury panel will feature industry experts including Dr. Naresh Tyagi, Sunjay Rastogi, Darshana Gajare, Parvinder Singh, and Rahul Mehta.
Rahul Mehta, Chief Mentor, CMAI, said, “The Conclave marks a timely and strategic intervention for the manufacturing ecosystem, where the focus must now shift from intent to measurable, scalable action. As an industry, we are at a stage where Sustainability can no longer remain a parallel conversation. It must be embedded into core business strategy, from fibre and fabric selection to manufacturing processes and supply chain design. The real opportunity lies in driving alignment by enabling manufacturers, brands and suppliers to move towards responsible sourcing, resource efficiency and circularity. Such collaborative platforms will play a critical role in strengthening India’s position as a globally competitive, future-ready and sustainability-led apparel manufacturing hub.”
Further enhancing the event, a Grand Sustainable Fashion Showcase will present 12 curated sequences featuring AI-led design, Indian crafts, and sustainable materials. Leading institutes such as National Institute of Fashion Technology (Bengaluru), JD Institute of Fashion Technology, SOFT Pune, and the International School of Design, Surat will collaborate to showcase emerging design talent focused on circular fashion.
Aligned with the broader sustainability theme of FAB Show 2026, the exhibition will also feature a dedicated Sustainability Pavilion with 15 exhibitors showcasing eco-conscious innovations across textiles, accessories, certifications, and production processes.
By bringing together stakeholders from across the ecosystem—from MSMEs and exporters to brands, designers, technology providers, and policymakers—the ECO-STITCH Conclave aims to position sustainability as a collective industry movement rather than an isolated initiative.
